In this lesson we are looking at using Compound Nouns in English.
We’re going to see how to form compound nouns, and when to use one-word, two-word and three-word compound nouns.
Have fun with the lesson, and don’t forget to try the quizzes.
– James.
Lesson Contents
Forming Compound Nouns
You can use two nouns together to make a compound noun. For example:
a tennis racket
a beach towel
a wristwatch
income tax
We treat the first noun like an adjective; it is used to describe the second noun. For example:
A tennis racket is a racket used to play tennis.
A beach towel is a towel that you use at the beach.
Here are a few more compound nouns. These are all things to do with films:
a film studio
a film producer
a film critic
a film maker
These are all types of problems:
language problems
marriage problems
health problems
work problems
You must be careful of the order of the nouns. Compare these two items:
A vegetable garden.
A garden with vegetables.
Garden vegetables.
Vegetables that are grown in a garden.
Sometimes you can use more that two nouns together to create compound nouns:
The World Wrestling Foundation
The hotel reception desk
The tennis racket handle
Sometimes you can put +ING at the end of the first word. This is usually because the objects are used for doing something:
A swimming pool is a pool that you can swim in.
A frying pan is a pan that you fry things in.
A developing country is a country that is in development.
A steering wheel is a wheel that you use to steer a car.
In this quiz, read the descriptions and write the nouns that are being described.
One-Word or Two-Word Compound Nouns
Sometimes compound nouns are written together, sometimes they are separate:
Together:
a headache
a handbag
toothpaste
a bookshop
Separate:
a tennis ball
a sports bag
a car park
a road sign
There are no rules for this. If you are unsure, you should write the words separately.
Match the halves of the compound nouns.
Using Compound Nouns with Containers
Note the differences between these pairs of nouns:
A sugar bowl
a bowl for sugar, perhaps empty
A crisp packet
a packet for crisps, perhaps empty
A bowl of sugar
a bowl with sugar inside
A packet of crisps
a packet with crisps inside
Plural Compound Nouns
When we use compound nouns, the first noun is like an adjective, so it normally doesn’t change into plural. Even when the meaning is plural, it doesn’t change. Have a look at these examples:
A pear tree.
a tree with pears growing on it
A toy shop.
a shop that sells toys
A three-year course.
a course that takes three years
A 300-page novel.
a novel with 300 pages
Match the numbers to the nouns to complete the sentences.
